Twin-Seat Su-57: Russia has now flown a two-seat version of the Su-57 stealth fighter. The United Aircraft Corporation said the prototype made its maiden flight on May 19, 2026, and Russian reports say test pilot Sergei Bogdan was at the controls. The jet is being described as a twin-seat version of the Su-57, and some reports call it Su-57D.
This new jet is being linked to the old Indo-Russian FGFA idea, because India had wanted a two-seat fifth-generation fighter during the joint project talks. India walked away from that program in 2018 after years of trouble over cost, technology sharing, stealth concerns, engine readiness, and the shape of the aircraft itself. Russian aviation commentary has even used the line, “the Indians wanted such an aircraft, and we customized it for them.”
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Some reports also say the new twin-seat jet was adapted from the old T-50-5 prototype, later rebuilt as T-50-5R, which carried the bort number 055 Blue. That same airframe had been damaged in a 2014 engine fire at Zhukovsky, and one report says Indian delegates saw that incident happen.
More than a trainer jet
Russia is saying this is not only for training new pilots. State-linked reporting says the second seat is meant for command and control work, with the rear crew member acting like a tactical manager for mixed groups of crewed jets and drones. That idea lines up with earlier Russian patent talk about a “multifunctional two-seat low-observable tactical aircraft” and an airborne command post for networked combat.
The tail markings also point to a wider drone role. Reports say the prototype shows the Su-57 alongside the S-70 Okhotnik stealth drone, which fits Russia’s long-running plan to use the heavy drone as a “loyal wingman.” That makes the aircraft look less like a simple trainer and more like a flying control room with fighter jets and drones dancing to the same beat.
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Russia has also been pitching the Su-57 to India again in 2025 and 2026, including talk of local production and full technology transfer, while India’s AMCA fighter is still years away from service. That timing is one reason this new two-seat version is getting so much attention.
